I was in an accident in an Uber vehicle. What are my legal options?

11 Aug 2017

I’m sorry to hear about your accident. When you ride in a car that someone else is driving, you place your safety in their hands. Unfortunately, many rideshare programs, such as Uber, pay their drivers to complete the highest number of rides in the shortest period of time, which can lead to speeding and accidents.

It’s not always easy for rideshare companies to ensure that their drivers have the proper insurance and training necessary to drive passengers safely. Most rideshare companies hire independent contractors, which can allow the companies to avoid properly screening their drivers.

In addition, since rideshare companies’ drivers are independent contractors, that means that legally the companies are not liable for any damages for accidents. That can result in passengers who are seriously injured being left with pursuing a claim against the driver, who may only have very minimal insurance coverage to cover the accident.

In most cases, in order to recover compensation from an accident involving an Uber or Lyft requires the skills of an experienced personal injury attorney, who can prove damages and liability. Although rideshare accident cases are similar to other automobile accident cases, they are also different because the rideshare company is involved.

If you have been involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, it’s important to speak with an attorney. If you are in the Los Angeles area, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles Uber accident attorney, at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule your free consultation.